**CIMA Allies were Present at the Families Belong Together to present this statement and stand in Solidarity on 6/30/18

CIMA connects, strengthens and organizes communities to take action for immigrants rights in Western North Carolina. CIMA strives for inclusive communities with justice, freedom, and equality for all.

At its heart, the Western NC Sanctuary Movement is an extension of this mission. Sanctuary, as defined by CIMA, is a space for refuge for all targeted communities such as black and brown bodies, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, the Latinx community, etc. We are committed to weaving an intersectionality of protection, active resistance, education, resilience, resources, healing, critical thinking, contemplative action and transformation.

We understand the current administration has a very clear, abusive, strategized and racist agenda to deliberately maximize oppression. The pre-existing immigration and legal system has been set up to purposely inflict harm on immigrants and long term traditionally disenfranchised communities. Proposed and enacted policies continue to bolster these dynamics: Clear examples are the breaking families at the border and the travel ban that was upheld by the Supreme Court this past Tuesday. They are attacks against immigrants and refugees fueled by deep seeded racism and xenophobia. […]